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Garcia then pursued the employee into the theater, firing more shots when he reached the lobby, Pollard said.

One of the shots struck a patron in the back, but the bullet did not strike any vital organs and the man was released from San Antonio Military Medical Center later Sunday night.

Bexar County sheriff's Sgt. Lisa Castellano, who was working off-duty as a security guard at the Mayan Palace, chased the gunman toward the back of the theater. The 13-year department veteran cornered him after he ran into a men's restroom, shooting him several times and taking his gun, Pollard said.

Armando Olguin, an off-duty San Antonio Independent School District police officer, restrained him using the sergeant's handcuffs, Pollard said.

Garcia was rushed to SAMMC, where he was in stable condition in the intensive care unit Monday.

Bexar County officials said Castellano was told not to talk to media about the shooting because the investigation is ongoing.

The shooting immediately sparked fears of a mass slaying like the one in July that killed 12 people and injured 58 at a movie theater in Aurora, Colo.

Tara Grace, who was buying a drink from the concession stand when the shooting began, ran into the bathroom and locked herself in a stall with five other patrons to avoid the mayhem.

“We thought we were going to die,” she said.

Cassandra Castillo waited anxiously outside the theater Sunday night for her son, a projectionist at the theater.

“It brings back memories of the other theater shooting, and the elementary school shooting,” she said, referring to Friday's Newtown, Conn., shooting that left 20 children and six adults dead. “You only think the worst.”

A restaurant employee who asked not to be identified said such an attack was out of character for Garcia, known as “Chuy” to coworkers.

“He's a good kid and not violent. He's quiet and minds his own business,” the coworker said. “I have nothing bad to say about him.”

The restaurant's owner declined Monday to talk about the shooting or provide his name, but he did say he planned to reopen the business once the front door is replaced and crews can fix the bullet holes in the walls and windows.

A Santikos spokesman did not return a message seeking comment.

Garcia was charged with attempted capital murder of a police officer and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to arrest records. His bail was set at a combined $1 million.